Our Travels

I'm lying on my side(the only possible position lately) in bed trying to type which is not easy. At this very moment baby is moving around a lot. I think baby's telling me to stop it already and go to sleep. It's raining outside which is music to my ears(from the desert) and am looking forward to a good night's sleep to that beautiful sound. Rain on the roof is one of the sounds I miss a lot being in Oman. In Samoa with the corrugated iron roofing the rain drums down on the roof and it just lulls one to sleep. I missed that. Though the rain isn't as loud here but it sure beats not hearing it at all. Moreover the weather has been very pleasant here in Hamilton. It's been warm since yesterday. Last night it was so warm it was unusual. I went for my walk today with my cousin and my baby niece. My gorgeous niece is at the stage where she's learning things. I've been trying to teach her to do the Samoan siva...yep trust me to teach an 11 month old to dance. A...

One Word Answers (Doing this for Nets) You're feeling: sleepy To your left: pillows On your mind: baby Last meal included: ice-cream You sometimes find it hard to: sleep The weather: raining Something you have a collection of: shot-glasses A smell that cheers you up: LightBlue A smell that can ruin your mood: vomit How long since you last shaved: days The current state of your hair: tame The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): printer Your skill with chopsticks: good Which section you head for first in a bookstore: thriller Something you're craving: pavlova Your general thoughts on the presidential race: propaganda How many times have you been hospitalised this year: none Favourite place to go for a quiet moment: bedroom You've always secretly thought you'd be a good: actress Something that freaks you out a little: abuse Something you've eaten too much of lately: donuts You have have never: sky-dove You never want to: hate Tagging whoever reads this....

Baby Maeva and I. Maeva likes to look at my tummy and has learnt to kiss baby!!! Sometimes she slaps it but I know to stop her hand before doing so lol. Yep pretty big. The cutie pie and her cheeky smile. She really brightens the day and is just such a joy. She's such a contented child. Not long to go now before the birth of baby. I'm huge now it's just amazing. I can't walk for long anymore. I try to walk around the block every day though to stay fit.

Wilhelmus, Gui and Alex cooking the bbq Cooking, drinking and eating first...hmmmm Jody, Cassandrae and baby Maeva Lio practising his kicks! Dessert time. With nephew Lio Lio and mum Lina in Auckland Self with nephew Eddie, nieces Tasa and Nerah in Wellington Alex with nephew Caleb in Wellington Watching Caleb during his basketball game.

Last week Alex finally departed for Oman to return to work. I had convinced myself that he won't be gone for long and will be back soon for the birth of baby although it's over six weeks away! We saw him off at the airport and I was composed and all good about it. I wanted not to feel too sad because of all those horror stories of women having miscarriages due to too much grief! Well nature or should I say hormones had other plans for me. I woke up last night from a bad dream and felt immensely lonely without my husband by my side. It was awful. The next thing I knew I was sobbing my eyes out! I texted honey dearest who called me back and calmed me down. Just when I thought I had survived the critical week I cried a river. Hmmmm such is life. Well I calmed down for my darling baby in case I caused distress. Well I haven't cried in ages so that was a nice good cry in any case. I finally fell asleep an hour later and didn't wake up till late morning. Not long to go before...

We left Wellington around Friday afternoon on April 4th after Alex and folks got all the shopping together for the party. We arrived at the Sutherland farm at around 6pm and were greeted by a haven in the middle of nowhere. The farm was about 15 minutes drive from Martinborough and it was a sight to behold. An old Victorian house set in beautiful green gardens and big trees of all sorts. In front was an old tennis court and a beautiful big outdoor wooden table made from the trunk of a tree they had to cut down that was near the house according to the Joe and Jackie the proud owners of the lovely farmstay. A stone throw away was a cottage with more room and beds for more people to stay. Half of the main farm house was for visitors which we took over with kitchen including all utensils and three bedrooms, bathroom and two living rooms that could house a small Samoan family! That eve we had dinner prepared by Cesca on the front yard on the big wooden table under the stars. It was a beauti...

Alex with his uncle Robin, cousin Joanne and niece Grace. Self with cute Grace. Grace and her uncles Raphael and Alex Alex making the most of the green courses in Wellington. This is at a Petone golf range.

I'm now blogging from Wellington at Alex's folks' place. We arrived here last night at 9.30 on an uneventful flight from Auckland. We left Muscat on Thursday evening there and after a six hour flight we landed in Bangkok. We checked into the Louis Tavern dayrooms and managed to get some sleep before going to lunch. Nice rooms with good bed and shower. I checked out the massage place in the hotel but the receptionist took one look at my big tummy and said they don't or won't massage me in my condition! I reassured her that I only want my shoulders done and that I've been getting it done in Muscat anyway. It was still a no which is fair enough. Anyway after lunch I went to buy some chocolates from the dutyfree shops and as I walked past the massage spa the receptionist stopped me with a masseuse and said that she will give me a massage if I wanted but only around the shoulders. I greatfully accepted as I thought it would be nice to massage away the knots from the ...